NHL Betting News This Month | NHL Heads Into The August Wilderness | August 2026

Chris Wasselby Chris Wassel
Updated: August 11, 2026

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The free agency fallout is arguably still the biggest betting story of this part of the NHL season. Yes, some surprises still came as we head into the NHL wilderness that is August. The silly season saw plenty of money spent, some trades, and maybe that arbitration hearing does happen. This time of year slowly quiets to almost nothing. With the full schedule release, we have something to talk about along with a futures update or three perhaps.

Who had made the moves to get closer to winning Lord Stanley’s Cup? Carolina appears poised to defend its crown. Vegas may not have an easy time this go around. Florida desires to bounce back desperately. If that is not enough, there is that whole 84-game schedule to consider for 2026-27.

Anyway, there is always next season’s Stanley Cup odds. That sounds like enough excitement to go diving right in!

Before we check on even more NHL betting news and betting trends, we serve up top-flight NHL betting news and analysis. So, do check out the best NHL betting sites for 2026 and explore all the Stanley Cup betting resources.

NHL betting storylines breakdown

Scroll below to find the latest NHL storylines and betting opportunities on the following topics:

  1. We lead with more free agency fallout. Naturally, there had to be more signings and drama.
  2. The end of the Yzerplan in Detroit. We break down what happened in Detroit with Steve Yzeerman.
  3. The 84 game schedule is here. Hey, there are two more games this regular season.
  4. Some more futures have entered the mix. Hey, futures are fun and we have more.
  5. The dreaded Team Points has also returned. The NHL point totals have come out for bettors.
  6. There are 2026-27 NHL games to bet on already? That is correct. Select early games are now out.

We lead with more NHL free agency fallout

Anyone who is anyone saw more signings to come. Yes, there were no major surprises but there was Jason Robertson. The Dallas Stars’ forward had 41 goals and 96 points in the 2025-26 season. Many were talking that Robertson was going to get this huge deal or get traded. Guess what? Neither one actually occurred. Dallas, and their General Manager Jim Nill, played the equivalent of kick the can. Robertson wound up setting for a one-year deal worth $12 million.

Dallas went from a potential implosion to at least saving things for another year. The Stars may have problems contending in the West, but they still have a chance at least. Robertson, according to reports, walked away from a possible eight-year, $15 million AAV extension this summer.

So, Nill is not the only GM that has quite the dilemma over this 2026-27 season. Will Connor McDavid be kept happy? Will Patrik Laine find a home? Anyway, one of the other interesting deals was Anthony Mantha signing a two-year deal at $4.75 million AAV with New Jersey. Besides the Connor Bedard extension and potential arbitration hearing falling by the wayside, August seems to set up to be heading into the wilderness.

There remains speculation with Kirill Marchenko of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Montreal remains on the radar for the forward. It is no secret that there is still acrimony in Columbus and not just with Marchenko. For now, most things have been patched up but the Blue Jackets will be one of those teams to watch come the end of September.

The end of the Yzerplan in Detroit

So, the Detroit Red Wings were supposed to make the playoffs last season. Anyone who is anyone could see the writing on the wall. Steve Yzerman wanted this Detroit team to make it on their own. Dylan Larkin wanted to see some reinforcements come the Red Wings’ way. When nothing happened, it did seem the Red Wings fell flat and that included Larkin as well. As Detroit was ultimately eliminated from playoff contention by New Jersey, there was a sense of the inevitable.

Despite a considerable amount of innuendo, one still had a tough time believing that Detroit really would approach Yzerman and ask him to basically step aside. However, it did finally happen. Yzerman was transitioned to a senior advisory role as Detroit figures out what to do next. In seven seasons, Detroit never made the postseason under Yzerman. That was in stark contrast to his track record as a player or even what he did as the architect in Tampa Bay.

Now, for Detroit, and any betting chances, it is the idea that the Red Wings waited so long to make this decision. The Red Wings went through the NHL Draft and Free Agency basically then pulled the trigger. Considering prospect camps and the such, Detroit is not going to have an easy time here. Even if there is a plan, it feels like there is not one. A sobering aspect may be Larkin himself. Detroit moving Yzerman upstairs for a center who struggled after the trade deadline is less than ideal.

With what Detroit is considering for General Manager, maybe they were better off keeping Yzerman for a season, and make Larkin swallow his pride. The Red Wings are +15000 to win the Stanley Cup and a conference worst +250 to make the playoffs in the East. Also, there is the chance that Larkin does not want to stay anyway. Then what? Either way, the Red Wings are in real trouble at least for this season and could be one of the worst teams in the Eastern Conference.

The 84-game schedule is a reality

The NHL season has been 82 games and started in October since the 1995-96 campaign. Surely, this is something we got used to. Now, hockey will be different in 2026-27. With two more games added, 84 games will be played which means more opportunities to bet and naturally, more chances to take advantage of props and more. The other wrinkle is that the season will now start at the tail end of September to accommodate the chances to the schedule.

While the Stanley Cup still will be awarded in June, the extra two games will allow for two more divisional matchups per team. Preseason games drop from six to four and yes, we get September hockey as the season will open September 29th. One of the more intriguing aspects of the NHL season will be fewer nights where there is only one game on the schedule. It was an issues for fans and bettors alike.

This season will feature an All-Star weekend as it has been missed for a couple seasons. UBS Arena (home of the New York Islanders) will host the weekend and game on February 6th. Once more, bettors will get two nights with all 32 teams in action as well (October 13 and April 10th). With the usual international games (this time in Finland and Germany), and the Heritage Classic plus Stadium Series, there will be something for everyone.

Clearly, this was a long time coming. Do not worry, we have more for you at MTS as always.

Some more futures options have entered the mix

Now, the NHL Futures have added a few more options into the mix. If one was hoping for any substantial change in the Stanley Cup Futures, please accept our sincere apologies now. Edmonton did shorten some to as low as +800 but the general teams pretty much stayed the same. Our expectation is to expect more movement come later in September as the NHL season gets very close. After all, training camps will have commenced by then.

Okay, what new futures have opened up? Officially, one can bet on the Presidents’ Trophy winner which is the best overall teams during the regular season. Right now, Florida and Carolina have opened up as co-favorites at +475. If that was not enough, four of the major individual awards have updated odds – the Hart, Norris, Vezina, and Calder trophies.

The division and conference champion futures got a slight update with free agency coming and going. Like we mentioned above, August rarely has much of an earth shattering nature occurring, but MTS will be on it anyway just in case. One thing we do suggest is to watch for some player specials along the way. Patrick Kane has a few to at least check out. Going back to Chicago could be interesting especially when Connor Bedard returns to the lineup.

Besides quite a few other player specials, there are the traditional conference and Stanley Cup specials. If one is wondering what a Stanley Cup special is, do not fret. This just asks will this be the year a team from Canada finally wins the silver chalice. It has not happened since 1993. Canada is a +400 underdog right now.

NHL bettors welcome back team points

There was some speculation that team points may not get released until further into August. Oh no, that is not true. However, do not expect much, if any movement, until September anyway. This is kind of the “quiet” time so it is good to see some of these numbers now. With 32 teams in the league, there feels like an endless supply of options.

Before even thinking about a wager or two, take several long looks at these then start examining some of the rosters. One has to keep in mind that some teams have injuries that may impact their early season outlook. Also, remember again, the NHL now plays 84 games. Trust us, it will take more than a few times to get used to.

Yes, there are always some crazy numbers. The New Jersey Devils were over 100 points last year. This season it may be Tampa Bay at 102.5 points. It could be the season where the Lightning slip below 100 points and by a decent margin if they cannot stay healthy. Winnipeg may not get to 80 points if they actually do trade Connor Hellebuyck. If one thought they were bad last season, the Jets might actually be worse heading into 2026-27.

Finally, Utah will be one of those under the radar teams to watch. Yes, the Mammoth were good last year and finished with 92 points. Utah made the playoffs and a five or more point leap is not unreasonable given their roster. Many would even argue they underperformed often in 2025-26. Either way, this is only the beginning.

NHL games to bet on already? That is a yes!

The NHL season is still more than a month away and yet there are select NHL games to bet on already. Early on the schedule and lines will appear a little simplistic. What one will see is the puck line, moneyline, and over/under on total goals. One might see a few smaller props like a 60 minute line but be patient. Before a bettor knows it, dozens of options will be available from anytime goal scorer to first goal scorer and beyond.

Anyway, Tuesday, September 29th opens this 2026-27 NHL season with five games on the schedule. The following day has two more contests including the Battle of Pennsylvania. Some sportsbooks will have games about a week to 10 days out to start the season.

At the very least, this gets the NHL juices flowing. Just think, this is only the beginning. It is going to be a very different season.

The next time we see you will indeed be September!

Previous betting news updates

  • [July 2026]: Free agent frenzy was indeed bananas as NHL rosters start to take shape.
  • [June 2026]: Carolina wins the Stanley Cup and now the NHL Draft and Free Agency approach..
  • [June 2026]: Vegas and Carolina in middle of Stanley Cup along with draft and free agency talk.
  • [June 2026]: Vegas and Carolina battle onward for the Stanley Cup as the offseason draws closer.
  • [May 2026]: Vegas and Carolina favorites with IIHF World Championships well underway.
  • [May 2026]: Vegas is on the verge of advancing to the Stanley Cup Final while Montreal and Carolina continue to battle.
  • [May 2026]: Carolina still waiting with Colorado on the verge of advancing all while Montreal and Vegas in longer series.

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Chris Wassel

Chris Wassel is a veteran sports writer, editor, and betting analyst with nearly three decades of experience covering sports, fantasy sports, and wagering. A longtime member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA), the Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association (FSGA), and several sports betting communities, Chris has built a reputation for combining d...

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